Freedom Seekers of the 1850s Treasure Hunt
Official Rules, Regulations, and Terms of Participation
Welcome and Event Overview
Watch history come alive as you prepare to engage with regional history through a uniquely captivating
and interactive expedition.
The Freedom Seekers of the 1850s Treasure Hunt centers on the courageous individuals and pivotal
landmarks tied to Indiana’s historic Underground Railroad network.
This adventure is engineered to be highly accessible, intellectually stimulating, deeply absorbing, and above all,
profoundly entertaining for all ages. Use it as a teaching tool for younger players if you wish.
The design features an 80% armchair deduction framework, allowing teams to unravel complex mysteries from
home. However, completing the quest requires real-world exploration. To advance, your team must visit the
physical locations and document your discovery with a group photo featuring your team members alongside
the specific landmark solve. Explore while you are there. Take in the rich, captivating history in your own backyard.
The Hunt!
Upon receipt of your entry form and registration fee, your team will read the introductory sample hunt on the
Freedom Seekers Treasure page.
This material establishes the historical backstory and foundational lore for the entire journey. Supplementary
guides are provided detailing methods to decipher the hidden puzzles, however most clues can be solved through
reading the text clue you will receive. Additional puzzles, ciphers, codes, etc have been embedded for those that
seek additional challenges.
Each tier utilizes uniquely encoded patterns, ensuring that no two challenges are alike.
The preliminary sample serves as your operational blueprint, illustrating the types of hidden puzzles you will
encounter. The official journey commences on August 1st, this is when all registered teams will receive their
first genuine clue. Please monitor our official Facebook page closely, as critical operational updates and
occasional cryptic hints will be shared throughout the competitive window.
THE FINE PRINT:
Section 1: Eligibility and Team Registration

• Registration Fee: A non-refundable, transferable (with written notice to thesweetescaperoom@gmail.com)

• $30 entry fee is required per team (not per person).

• Team Capacity: Formed groups can have up to six (6) adult participants per team (not including minors-minors participate with parent/guardian).

• Registration: Register by August 2nd to participate.

• Age Requirement: Primary participants/claimants must be 18 years of age or older.

• Minor Consent: Minors are permitted to participate only with signed parental or legal guardian consent forms

• (add them to your signed waiver).

• Identification: Government-issued photo identification (to claim the reward) is required at  prize verification.

Section 2: Gameplay, Clues, and Boundaries

• Geographic Limits: The hunt occurs strictly within the boundaries of Southeastern Indiana.

• Hybrid Structure: Gameplay consists of 80% armchair research and 20% field exploration (boots on the ground).

• Launch Date: All properly registered participants will receive the inaugural official clue on August 1st.

• Field Verification: Teams must travel to the physical site to capture a verification "team selfie." Not all participants have to be in all pictures, however each team member must be in at least one picture (unless pre-arranged)

• Photographic Criteria: Images must clearly display the team participants alongside the verified landmark solve.

• Progression Timeline: Subsequent clues are dispatched within no more than 24 hours of validating a correct solution and photo/video submission. Submissions will be processed in the order they are received.

• Social Media Alerts: All updates & occasional bonus hints will post exclusively on our Facebook or Instagram page.

• Clue Deciphering: Sharing clues, solutions, or ciphers outside your registered team invalidates your registration.

Section 3: Safety and Prohibited Conduct

• Private Property: Trespassing on private land is strictly forbidden.

• Public Lands: Participants must respect & adhere to all Indiana law.

• No Alterations: Do not dig up, deface, or alter public parks, structures, historical markers or private property.

• No Destruction: Breaking, cutting, or damaging property or vegetation will cause immediate disqualification.

• Weapons Policy: No weapons of any kind are permitted during event or on-site visits.

• Substance Use: Alcohol or illegal drug consumption during hunt activities disqualifies the entire team.

• Harassment: Verbal abuse, physical abuse, or unsportsmanlike conduct causes immediate ejection from the event.

• Interference: Sabotaging, misdirecting, or interfering with other teams results in an immediate, lifetime ban.

• Traffic Safety: Participants must fully obey all Indiana traffic safety laws and parking regulations.

Section 4: About the Prize

• Starting Grand Prize: The base grand prize pool is guaranteed at a minimum of $1,000 to start.

• Progressive Prize Pool: The total cash payout increases dynamically based on the total number of entries received.

• Prorated Scaling: The final total prize value depends on the paid registrations collected up until the solve.

• Final Pool Announcement: Organizers will announce the final, total progressive prize amount before upon a successful solve or during the hunt via our Facebook and Instagram page.

• Single Claimant: Only the designated team captain may legally claim, sign for, and receive the final prize payout.

• Prize Splitting: Organizers distribute prize money to the captain only; internal team splitting is the team's responsibility.

• Winning Criteria: The first team to successfully submit the final verified solve & matching landmark photo proof.

• Verification: Judges must verify the solve authenticity and photo criteria before funds are disbursed.

• Tax Liability: Winners are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Section 5: Liability, Media, and Disclaimers

• Media Release: Submission of team verification photos automatically grants organizers full promotional rights. (We love creative photos-so have fun with those!)Videos also accepted.

• Opt-Out Clause: Participants must submit an explicit written request to the organizers at the time of photo submission to withhold their images from public marketing materials.

• Assumption of Risk: Participants freely & voluntarily assume all risks of personal injury, illness, or property loss.

• Liability Waiver: Signed liability waivers are mandatory and must be completed during the registration process.

• Property Damage: Participants are solely and legally liable for any property damage they cause during the event.

• Force Majeure: Organizers reserve the right to delay, postpone, or cancel events due to severe weather or other emergencies.

• Event Registration and Cancellation Disclaimer: By registering for the treasure hunt, participants acknowledge that the event requires a minimum of 30 participating groups to proceed. If this required quota is not met by August 15, Sweet Escape Adventures reserves the right to cancel the event or declare it void. In the event of such a cancellation, all registered groups will be notified immediately via email and issued a full refund of their registration fees. Sweet Escape Adventures assumes no liability for any additional travel, preparation, or personal expenses incurred by participants in connection with the canceled event.

• Governing Law: Indiana state courts hold exclusive legal jurisdiction over any disputes arising from this event.